A blog and review on all things Sherry. It is about tasting, enjoyment and learning more about the World’s Finest Wine. "Sherry is a thoroughbred" as Javier Hidalgo rightly puts it. Included are the amazing local Brandies and the remarkably good table wines also produced in the province of Cádiz.

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Sunday, 17 May 2015

17.5.15 Sherry Sales Up 30% in Spain

While the
heatwave which struck Jerez during the Feria saw people forced to drink more
refreshing things than Sherry, the trade is happy with the 30% increase in
national sales for the first quarter. It seems that Jerez is reaping the
benefits of the European City of Wine last year, the 50th
anniversary celebrations of DO Manzanilla, the 80th anniversary of
DO Jerez and the general increase in awareness of Sherry. Also we are now well
into the feria season.

3 million
litres were sold in Spain in the first quarter, mostly Manzanilla (1.5m litres
+22%) and Fino (630,000 litres +32%). Sales are up in all categories: Cream
(+23%) Medium (633%!) PX (11.5%) and Oloroso (+14%). Export sales were poorer,
however, bringing the overall increase in sales to a more modest 5.4%. The
traditional markets of the UK, (still the biggest export market importing 10 million
litres), Holland, Germany and the rest of Europe are still falling, yet there
was some good news from the US - up 24% and Japan up 56%.

About Me

Sherry has been in my blood since infancy. My father was born in Cádiz, where his family lived till the outbreak of the Spanish Civil war, when they left Spain for Scotland. They were stuck there during World War II and so I was born in Edinburgh but we always spent holidays in Andalucía where I instantly felt at home, being a regular visitor until I moved here in 2002. I am the 4th generation of my family to live in Spain.
Andalucía is a fascinating and very special place. Its culture is ancient and its people are wonderful. If you think about it, all that is regarded as “typically Spanish” is actually from Andalucía.
Over forty years in the wine trade have taught me much about the wines of the world, and above all what a unique treasure we have in Sherry. I hope that with this blog a useful and accessible resource will develop which will enhance the pleasure and knowledge of Sherry lovers everywhere.